Delay in presentation after myocardial infarction.

Thrombolytic therapy reduces mortality in acute myocardial infarction (AMI), giving maximal benefit with early treatment. In the UK delayed presentation after AMI may reduce the advantages of thrombolysis. To assess this, 103 patients presenting with AMI to two London Hospitals were interviewed to determine the length and cause of delay from onset of chest pain to arrival at hospital. Forty-nine per cent of patients took longer than 2 h to arrive at hospital, and 21% took longer than 4 h. Patients who contacted their general practitioner (GP) had a significantly prolonged time delay (160 mins; 65-730: median; range) compared to those who went directly to hospital by ambulance (82 mins; 15-395; P < 0.0005), or on their own (90 min; 15-855; P < 0.005). Patients calling their GP took a similar duration to decide to seek help [decision time (30 min versus 25 mins) P = NS], but significantly longer to reach hospital once the decision was made (110 min versus 56 min; P < 0.0001), than those proceeding directly to hospital. Believing the pain was cardiac in origin significantly shortened decision time (15 min versus 45 min; P < 0.05), as did knowledge of the existence of thrombolysis (15 min versus 50 min; P < 0.05) and lack of prior cardiac symptoms (18 min versus 42 min; P < 0.05). Only 14% were aware of thrombolysis. Rank correlation confirmed that decision and total delay time were age independent. Delays of this magnitude may compromise the efficiency of thrombolysis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Audit of thrombolysis initiated in an accident and emergency department.

Early thrombolytic therapy after acute myocardial infarction is important in reducing mortality. To evaluate a system for reducing in-hospital delays to thrombolysis pain to needle and door to needle times to thrombolysis were audited in a major accident and emergency (A and E) department of a district general hospital and its coronary care unit (CCU), situated about 5 km away. Baseline performance over six months was assessed retrospectively from notes of 43 consecutive patients (group 1) transferred to the CCU before receiving thrombolysis. Subsequently, selected patients (23) were allowed to receive thrombolysis in the A and E department before transfer to the CCU. The agent was administered by medical staff in the department after receiving oral confirmation of myocardial infarction from the admitting medical officer in the CCU on receipt of fax transmission of the electrocardiogram. A second prospective audit during six months from the start of the new procedure established time intervals in 23 patients eligible to receive thrombolysis in the A and E department (group 2b) and 30 ineligible patients who received thrombolysis in the CCU (group 2a). The groups did not differ significantly in case mix, pre-hospital delay, or transfer time to the CCU. In group 2b door to needle time and pain to needle time were reduced significantly (geometric mean 38 min v 121 min (group 2a) and 128 min (group 1); 141 min v 237 min (group 2a) and 242 min (group 1) respectively, both p < 0.0001). The incidence of adverse effects was not significantly different. Nine deaths occurred (six in group 1, three in group 2b), an in-hospital mortality of 9.9%. Thrombolysis can be safely instituted in the A and E department in selected patients, significantly reducing delay to treatment.     

Is the National Service Framework standard for thrombolytic therapy achievable in a rural area?

The National Service Framework (NSF) for coronary heart disease requires that patients with acute myocardial infarction should start thrombolytic therapy within 60 min of the patient making contact with the National Health Service. In an audit of 700 patients with suspected acute myocardial infarction, patients' first contact was most commonly with a general practitioner (GP) (505/700; 72 per cent), who attended on 88 per cent (446/505) of occasions when they were called. In 93 per cent (255/284) of cases where both GP and an ambulance attended, the GP arrived first, by 25 min (median). In the final audit period, median call-to-thrombolysis time was 90 min (26 per cent < or = 60). We conclude that with existing physical and personnel resources in this semi-rural area of Northern Ireland, the NSF standard for thrombolytic treatment is unlikely to be met in a majority of cases unless GPs adopt prehospital thrombolysis.     

Delay factors on the administration of thrombolytic therapy in patients diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction in a general hospital

OBJECTIVE: To identify factors that delay the onset of thrombolysis in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). METHODS: A cohort study was carried out with 146 patients, each diagnosed with AMI and subjected to thrombolytic therapy. The data was extracted from medical records between January 2002 and December 2004. RESULTS: The average age of the studied population was 57.5 +/- 9 years, 64.4% were male. The average time between the onset of pain and arrival at the hospital was 254.7 +/- 126.6 minutes, 28.1% used an ambulance for the trip to the hospital, the door-to-electrocardiogram time averaged 19.4 +/- 7.3 minutes and the door-to-needle time was 51.1 +/- 14.9 minutes. There was no significant difference between the time of arrival to the hospital and the method of transportation used (P= 0.81), and those seen by cardiologists and during the nightshift had a reduction in the door-to-needle time, respectively (P=0.014) and (P=0.034). CONCLUSIONS: Study results show that the delay in the search for medical service, and the long time taken from door-to-electrocardiogram and to reach the AMI diagnosis were the factors involved in the delay of thrombolytic treatment.     

Gender differences in management after acute myocardial infarction: not 'sexism' but a reflection of age at presentation

OBJECTIVE: To test whether women receive less intensive treatment and fewer risk stratification tests following acute myocardial infarction (MI), than men. METHODS: A retrospective study of medical records in all district general hospitals and tertiary referral centres for cardiology in Wales was performed. Patients (n = 1595, of which 989 were men) admitted to hospital over 4 months with a diagnosis of acute MI had their case notes reviewed for treatment, stratification of risk factors and secondary prevention. Data were analysed for differences in treatment between men and women and whether these could be attributed to age at presentation. RESULTS: Women were older than men at presentation [mean age 75 (SD 11) versus 66 (12) years, p < 0.01]; fewer women received thrombolysis (34 versus 44 per cent) and low molecular weight heparin (63 versus 71 per cent) (both p < 0.001); and women had higher 30 day mortality (28 versus 17 per cent, p < 0.001). Fewer women received cardiac catheterization, investigations to identify high risk, drugs for secondary prevention on discharge and referral to cardiac rehabilitation. However, intensities of treatment, investigation and secondary prevention were strongly related to age and, after adjusting for age, gender differences remained only for thrombolysis and exercise testing. CONCLUSION: Although women receive fewer investigations and treatments than men, this potential gender bias can be explained by age. The lower use of treatment and investigation among older patients draws attention to the lack of direct evidence of effectiveness for these patients. Further studies are needed to confirm effectiveness of investigations and treatments in older patients.     

More frequent diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction among Navajo Indians.

In an earlier study, we failed to confirm a clinical impression that the incidence of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) was increasing in Navajo men. Extending our data collection an additional three years, through 1986, we observed that the attack rate in men more than doubled and there was a gradual increase among women. Most Navajos who sustain AMI are hypertensive (51 per cent), diabetic (50 per cent) or both (31 per cent), but few smoke cigarettes.     

Why is evaluation of the cost effectiveness of audit so difficult? The example of thrombolysis for suspected acute myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Cost effectiveness analysis is an established technique for evaluation of delivery of health care, but its use to evaluate clinical audit is rarely reported. Thrombolysis for suspected acute myocardial infarction is a commonly used therapy of established effectiveness and an appropriate subject for audit in many healthcare settings. OBJECTIVE: To measure the cost effectiveness of audit of thrombolysis in some district general hospitals. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Cost of audit per extra patient treated with thrombolysis (incremental cost effectiveness ratio). DESIGN: Prospective agreement with physicians to undertake repeated audits of a specific aspect of the management of patients with acute myocardial infarction. Baseline measurement of the proportion of these patients given thrombolysis in each hospital were made, as were three subsequent retrospective audits, giving time series of measurements. Costs were estimated from records of staff time and other resources used in each hospital; effectiveness was estimated by fitting the results to a model which assumed a uniform rate of increase over time in the proportion of eligible patients given thrombolysis which might be accelerated by regular audit. Upper and lower limits for main outcome measure were derived from sensitivity analysis of costs and logistic regression of time series data. SETTING: Five district general hospitals in North West Thames Regional Health Authority including one control hospital were used, starting in April 1991 when widespread medical audit was first introduced. RESULTS: Between the first and last audits, the proportion of patients with suspected acute myocardial infarctions receiving thrombolysis rose in three of the hospitals undertaking audit by 20% to 37% and fell by 6% in the fourth (although this hospital started with a rate in excess of 90%). The corresponding change in the control hospital was an increase of 15%. The differences between each of the auditing hospitals and control hospital were not significant, except in one case, where 51 extra treatments per year were attributable to audit (95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) 0.5 to 61 cases per year). Estimated overall costs in each hospital ranged from 3700 Pounds to 5200 Pounds for data collection, a series of four audit meetings, and subsequent actions. The central estimate of cost effectiveness in the three responsive hospitals ranged from 101 Pounds to 392 Pounds per extra case given thrombolysis, with very wide 95% CIs. In the fourth hospital audit had zero effectiveness as defined in this study. CONCLUSIONS: Methodological difficulties were encountered which need to be considered in future economic evaluations of clinical audit and related activities. These were: (a) adequate control for other factors influencing clinical behaviour; (b) uncertainties about the sustainability of changes in behaviour associated with audit; and (c) the relative infrequency in a single hospital of specific clinical events leading to small numbers for analysis. These difficulties constitute major challenges for the economic evaluation of clinical audit. They are most likely to be overcome in a large study which compares clinical audit with other interventions aiming for the same quality improvement, such as patient specific reminders or educational programmes.     

NSF for CHD: 3 years of 12-month follow-up audit after cardiac rehabilitation

BACKGROUND: The coronary heart disease (CHD) National Service Framework (NSF) sets standards and milestones. For acute myocardial infarction (AMI) or coronary revascularization, 'Milestone 3, of Standard 12 requires that, by April 2002, every hospital should have clinical audit data no more than 12 months old showing 'total number and % of those recruited to cardiac rehabilitation who, one year after discharge, report: regular physical activity of at least 30 minutes duration on average five times a week, not smoking and a Body Mass Index (BMI) of <30 kg/m2'. This study looked at cost, method and practicalities of retrieving this data. METHODS: A postal questionnaire was used to follow-up coronary patients who started our cardiac rehabilitation programme between 1 April 2001 and 31 March 2004. The project was costed. RESULTS: Three hundred and seventy-five (33 per cent) AMI patients, 412 (36 per cent) coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) patients and 343 (30 per cent) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) patients entered the cardiac rehabilitation programme over 3 years. Completed questionnaires were received from 903 (80 per cent). Post-AMI patients or those stratified as high risk for further cardiac events were least likely to respond. Of responders, 74 per cent were exercising regularly, 95 per cent were not smoking and 79 per cent had a BMI <30 kg/m2. CONCLUSION: Targets for smoking and BMI set by the NSF are too low and were achieved by most patients before the start of cardiac rehabilitation. Patients who are post-AMI or are stratified as high risk need to be targeted if a high level of follow-up is to be achieved.     

Earlier treatment of acute myocardial infarction with administration of alteplase (rt-PA) before hospitalization

The gain in survival by thrombolytic therapy in patients with myocardial infarction is determined by the delay between coronary occlusion and reperfusion. The REPAIR study was designed to examine the feasibility and safety of prehospital thrombolysis with alteplase (rt-PA, Actilyse). Indications and contraindications are verified by general practitioner or ambulance nurse with a short questionnaire. A small portable ECG computer system is used to confirm the presence of a large evolving myocardial infarction 'on the spot'. Between June 1988 and May 1990, 150 patients were treated by the ambulance service. Therapy could be initiated within an average of 91 (+/- 40) minutes (sd) after the onset of symptoms, and within 23 (+/- 9) minutes after ambulance arrival. Three patients were defibrillated during transportation, in one of these therapy had to be discontinued because of cardiac massage. No other complications were observed. Five patients (3%) died after arrival in the hospital. The time gained by prehospital treatment averaged 47 (+/- 2) minutes in comparison with 220 patients who received thrombolytic therapy after hospital admission. The procedure allows rapid and safe initiation of thrombolytic therapy in selected patients, even in the absence of a physician.     

不同治疗手段对老年急性心肌梗死近远期临床疗效比较

目的比较不同手段治疗老年急性心肌梗死近、远期疗效。方法入选2012年10月至2013年6月我院收治的60例老年急性心肌梗死患者,按入院先后分为溶栓组及介入组,各30例,分别采用溶栓及冠脉CPI治疗,观察近、远期疗效及相关实验结果改变。结果介入组相关动脉再通率为93.3%,明显高于溶栓组的63.3%,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);治疗后3个月和治疗12个月后,介入组心脏不良事件出现率均低于溶栓组,差异均有统计学意义(P均<0.05)。治疗结束时,两组左室心功能指标差别不明显(P>0.05);治疗后3个月及12个月两组心功能不断下降,均为介入组较好,溶栓组下降明显,组间比较差异显著(P<0.05)。结论在治疗老年急性心肌梗死的远近期疗效方面,冠脉CPI较溶栓略有优势。     

Sex differences in risk factors, treatment and mortality after acute myocardial infarction: an observational study

BACKGROUND: Coronary heart disease is the major cause of death of postmenopausal women in industrialised countries. Although acute myocardial infarction (AMI) affects men in greater numbers, the short-term outcomes for women are worse. In the longer term, studies suggest that mortality risk for women is lower or similar to that of men. However, length of follow up and adjustment for confounding factors have varied and more importantly, the association between treatment and outcomes has not been examined. STUDY OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between sex differences in risk factors and hospital treatment and mortality after AMI. DESIGN: A prospective observational study collecting demographic and clinical data on cases of AMI admitted to hospitals in Yorkshire. The main outcome measures were mortality status at discharge from hospital and two years later. SETTING: All district and university hospitals accepting emergency admissions in the former Yorkshire National Health Service (NHS) region of northern England. PARTICIPANTS: 3684 consecutive patients with a possible diagnosis of AMI admitted to hospitals in Yorkshire between 1 September and 30 November 1995. MAIN RESULTS: AMI was confirmed by the attending consultant for 2196 admissions (2153 people, 850 women and 1303 men). Women were older and less likely than men to be smokers or have a history of ischaemic heart disease. Crude inhospital mortality was higher for women (30% versus 19% for men, crude odds ratio of death before discharge for women 1.78, 95% confidence intervals 1.46, 2.18, p=0.00). This difference persisted after adjustment for age, risk factors and comorbidities (adjusted OR 1.29, 95% CI 1.04, 1.63, p=0.02), but was not significant when treatment was taken into account. Women were less likely to be given thrombolysis (37% versus 46%, p<0.01) and aspirin (83% versus 90%, p<0.01), discharged with beta blockers (33% versus 47%, p<0.01) and aspirin (82% versus 88% p<0.01) or be scheduled for angiography, exercise testing or revascularisation. Adjustment for age removed much of the disparity in treatment. Crude mortality rate at two years was higher for women (OR 1.81, 95%CI 1.41, 2.31, p=0.00). Age, existing risk factors and acute treatment accounted for most of this difference, with treatment on discharge having little additional influence. CONCLUSIONS: Patients admitted to hospital with AMI should be offered optimal treatment irrespective of age or sex. Women have a worse prognosis after AMI and under-treatment of older people with aspirin and thrombolysis may be contributing to this.     

Coronary arteriography and coronary bypass survey among whites and other racial groups relative to hospital-based incidence rates for coronary artery disease: findings from NHDS.

To assess racial differences in health care utilization for coronary artery disease (CAD) the data of the National Hospital Discharge Survey (NHDS) from 1979-84 were examined. Discharge rates for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) were utilized as a measure of hospital-based incidence and relative need for the designated cardiac procedures. Although 35-74 year old Black men had discharge rates of AMI that were 77 per cent of those observed for White men, they underwent coronary arteriography half as often and were only a third as likely to have coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. Black women in this age range were hospitalized at a slightly higher rate than White women for AMI, yet experienced a 19 per cent lower rate of coronary arteriography and a 52 per cent lower rate of CABG surgery. These data suggest a racial bias in the pattern of care delivered for CAD in US hospitals at the present time.     

Results and cost of meeting the National Service Framework for Coronary Heart Disease requirement for 12 month follow-up after acute coronary events

BACKGROUND: The National Service Framework (NSF) for Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) set standards, targets and milestones. In the case of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) or coronary revascularization, Milestone 3 of Standard 12 requires a 12 month audit of exercise and smoking habit and of body mass index (BMI) for patients who have attended cardiac rehabilitation (CR). The targets are that 50 per cent of patients should be exercising regularly, not smoking and have a BMI of <30 kg/m(2). The purpose of this study was to find out whether the targets are realistic and to measure the cost of retrieving the data. METHODS: A postal questionnaire was used to follow up all the patients who attended our CR programme over a 12 month period. The project was costed. RESULTS: Four hundred and three CHD patients who had attended the programme between April 2001 and March 2002 were sent questionnaires 12 months after their index event. Their diagnoses were AMI in 147 (36.5 per cent), coronary artery surgery in 157 (39 per cent) and angioplasty in 99 (24.5 per cent). Completed questionnaires were received from 358 (89 per cent). Of the responders, 69 per cent were exercising regularly, 91.6 per cent were not smoking (73 per cent had been non-smokers before their index cardiac event) and 79 per cent had a BMI of <30 kg/m(2)(the figure at the start of rehabilitation had been 79 per cent). The cost of performing the audit was pounds sterling 1204. CONCLUSION: This audit is inexpensive. The targets for smoking and BMI set by the NSF were achieved by a very large margin before either the index cardiac event or starting CR.     

THE INCIDENCE OF ACUTE MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION IN QUEENSLAND AND NEW SOUTH WALES: A COMPARISON USING ESTIMATES BASED ON HOSPITAL MORBIDITY RECORDS

Incidence rates and death rates for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) were compared in New South Wales and Queensland to investigate whether changes in death rates were correlated with changes in incidence rates. The incidence of AMI was 1.9 per cent higher for males and 14.9 per cent lower for females in Queensland than in New South Wales. Differences in age-specific incidence rates paralleled differences in age-specific death rates, suggesting that observed changes in death rates may reflect changes in incidence, rather than case-fatality. Risk factor patterns are broadly similar between the two states, apart from the prevalence of cigarette smoking which, like the incidence of AMI, is higher in males and lower in females in Queensland.     

Acute myocardial infarction among Navajo Indians, 1976-83.

We found that from 1976 through 1983 the incidence of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) diagnosed among Navajo Indians remained low (0.5 per 1,000 persons age 30 years or more), although the incidence in women appears to be climbing. Navajo AMI patients are more likely to be hypertensive and diabetic than age- and sex-matched patients with gallbladder disease. Twenty-four per cent die within one month of AMI.     

Do clinical pathways enhance access to evidence‐based acute myocardial infarction treatment in rural emergency departments?

Objective: The objective of this study is to measure the impact of a five‐step implementation process for an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) clinical pathway (CPW) on thrombolytic administration in rural emergency departments. Design: Cluster randomised controlled trial. Setting: Six rural Victorian emergency departments participated. Intervention: The five‐step CPW implementation process comprised (i) engaging clinicians; (ii) CPW development; (iii) reminders; (iv) education; and (v) audit and feedback. Main outcome measures: The impact of the intervention was assessed by measuring the proportion of eligible AMI patients receiving a thrombolytic and time to thrombolysis and electrocardiogram. Results: Nine hundred and fifteen medical records were audited, producing a final sample of 108 patients eligible for thrombolysis. There was no significant difference between intervention and control groups for median door‐to‐needle time (29 mins versus 29 mins; P = 0.632), proportion of those eligible receiving a thrombolytic (78% versus 84%; P = 0.739), median time to electrocardiogram (7 mins versus 6 mins; P = 0.669) and other outcome measures. Results showed superior outcome measures than other published studies. Conclusions: The lack of impact of the implementation process for a chest pain CPW on thrombolytic delivery or time to electrocardiogram in these rural hospitals can be explained by a ceiling effect in outcome measures but was also compromised by the small sample. Results suggest that quality of AMI treatment in rural emergency departments (EDs) is high and does not contribute to the worse mortality rate reported for AMIs in rural areas.     

An Australian comparison of specialist care of acute myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether patients hospitalized with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in an Australian setting receive better pharmacological care if managed by cardiologists than by non-cardiologists. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review of patients hospitalized between 1 January 1997 and 30 June 1998, undertaken by abstractors blind to study objectives. SETTING: One tertiary and two community hospitals in south-east Queensland, Australia, in which all patients admitted with AMI were cared for by cardiologists and general physicians, respectively. STUDY PARTICIPANTS: Two cohorts of consecutive patients satisfying diagnostic criteria for AMI: 184 in the tertiary hospital and 207 in the community hospitals. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Frequency of use, in highly eligible patients, of thrombolysis, beta-blockers, aspirin, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, lipid-lowering agents, nitrates, and calcium antagonists. Cohorts were compared for differences in prognostic factors or illness severity. RESULTS: In community hospital patients, there was greater use of thrombolysis [100% versus 83% in the tertiary hospital; difference 17%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 11-26%; P < 0.001] and of ACE inhibitors (84% versus 66%; difference 18%, 95% CI 3-34%; P = 0.02), and lower median length of stay (6.0 days versus 7.0 days; P = 0.001) compared with tertiary hospital patients. Frequency of use of other drugs, and adjusted rates of death and re-infarction were the same for both cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: With respect to pharmacological management of patients hospitalized with AMI, cardiologists and general physicians appear to provide care of similar quality and achieve equivalent outcomes. Further studies are required to confirm the generalizability of these results to Australian practice as a whole.     

炎性细胞因子在急性心肌梗死溶栓治疗中的变化及预后影响研究

目的 探讨炎性细胞因子C反应蛋白(CRP)、白细胞介素(IL)-6、肿瘤坏死因子(TNF)-α及白细胞(WBC)计数在急性心肌梗死(AMI)溶栓治疗与未溶栓治疗中的差异,及其与预后的相关性.方法 将229例AMI患者按是否接受静脉溶栓治疗分为溶栓组(131例)及未溶栓组(98例),分别于入院即刻、入院后6h、入院后24h抽血测定心肌肌钙蛋白I(cTnI)、肌酸激酶(CK)、肌酸激酶同工酶-MB(CK-MB),于入院次日晨抽血测定CRP、IL-6、TNF-α、WBC计数.随访6个月,比较两组患者预后的差异.结果 溶栓组失访27例.溶栓组6个月内死亡1例,病死率为1.0％(1/104),未溶栓组死亡6例,病死率为6.1％(6/98),两组6个月内病死率比较差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).溶栓组CK、CK-MB峰提前,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).溶栓组TNF-α、IL-6水平较未溶栓组升高,与未溶栓组比较,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05),两组CRP、WBC计数水平比较差异无统计学意义(P＞ 0.05).溶栓组中再通104例,再通率为79.4％( 104/131),再通患者TNF-α、IL-6水平显著高于未通患者,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).结论 溶栓患者TNF-α、IL-6水平升高可能与再灌注损伤相关,亦提示为心肌坏死本身的炎性反应,检测CRP、IL-6、TNF-α、WBC计数对AMI患者预后的判断有临床意义,抗炎、抗氧化治疗对改善AMI预后有重要意义.     

Risk for early ischemic event after acute myocardial infarction in working males

We attempt to predict ischemic events in the weeks following the hospital discharge after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in order to aid occupational physicians in taking return-to-work decisions. Included in the study were 1299 AMI patients from 14 coronary care units in Israel who had been employed before hospitalization and were seen after discharge 1, 2, 4, 6, 9 and 12 months after the first AMI. Cardiovascular accidents included death from cardiovascular disease, recurrent infarction or hospitalization due to congestive heart failure or unstable angina. The rate of a first recurrent cardiovascular accident decreased rapidly over the first few weeks. The risk in the third week was still 51 per 1000 person-months, 13.4 (95% CI: 9.2-19.5) times higher than that after 10 weeks when the incidence reached a low steady state. The major predictors in a logistic regression model for an event were: older age, past history of a cerebrovascular event, and congestive heart failure during the course of hospitalization, but the area under the receiver-operator curve was only 64.4%. We conclude that after acute myocardial infarction, the major risk for a recurrent event is a lapse of time from discharge but not other clinical variables. This should be taken into account when considering a proper timing of return-to-work after an acute myocardial infarction.